Anytime Beaconing In A Wireless Power Transmission System

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are described for operating a wireless power transmission system. The wireless power transmission system receives a beacon signal delivered from and initiated by a wireless power receiver client configured to receive wireless power from the wireless power transmission system. The wireless power transmission system also delivers wireless power to the wireless power receiver client and simultaneously detects for additional encoded beacon signals delivered from and initiated by additional wireless power receiver clients.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/852,216 filed on Dec. 22, 2017, now allowed; which claims priority toand benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/583,323filed on Nov. 8, 2017; the entire contents of each of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Many electronic devices are powered by batteries. Rechargeable batteriesare often used to avoid the cost of replacing conventional dry-cellbatteries and to conserve precious resources. However, rechargingbatteries with conventional rechargeable battery chargers requiresaccess to an alternating current (AC) power outlet, which is sometimesnot available or not convenient. It would, therefore, be desirable todeliver power for electronics wirelessly.

In the field of wireless charging, safe and reliable use within abusiness or home environment is a primary concern. To date, wirelesscharging has been limited to magnetic or inductive charging basedsolutions. Unfortunately, these solutions require a wireless powertransmission system and a receiver to be in contact or in very closeproximity to one another. Wireless power transmission without contact orvery close proximity requires more advanced mechanisms, such as, forexample, transmission via radio frequency (RF) signals, ultrasonictransmissions, laser powering, to name a few, each of which presents anumber of unique hurdles to commercial success.

The most viable systems to date utilize power transmission via RF.However, in the context of RF transmission within a common residence,commercial building, or other habited environment, there are manyreasons to limit the RF exposure levels of the transmitted signals.Consequently, power delivery is constrained to relatively low powerlevels. Due to this low energy transfer rate, it is imperative that thesystem is efficient.

Typical techniques for providing signal to a client include a master buscontroller directing clients when to beacon and directing the antennaelements when to take a sample of incoming beacons and determine thecomplex phase. The master bus controller then tells the antenna elementsto compute the complex conjugate and store the result as a path back tothe client for providing power signals to the clients. The master buscontroller then directs the next time slot to the next client. Whilethis system may enable the clients to receive the power signals at aspecified time slot, this technique requires a large volume ofcommunications between the master bus controller, the antenna boards,and the clients as timing of client communications must be individuallycoordinated by the master bus controller. Therefore, this techniquedecreases available time slots that may be used for additional power.

Other typical techniques may include the master bus controllerpre-calculating a client power schedule for the subsequent time intervaland sending the schedule to both the clients and antenna boards. In thismethod, the master bus controller allocates a start time and theprearranged beaconing schedule to determine which clients receive powersignals and at which time slot. While this method is more time efficientthan previous power beaconing models, time slots that may have been usedfor sending power signals are allocated to sending communicationsincluding the prearranged schedules. Additionally, this technique doesnot allow clients to have any control over which transmission system theclient may receive power from and therefore, clients are unable to moveor roam while listening for beacons or receiving power beacons.Essentially, the clients become active power receivers since they needto be aware of when the communication beacons are transmitted to be ableto then harvest the power that was available based on the time schedule.

Accordingly, a need exists for technology that overcomes thedemonstrated problems outlined above, as well as one that providesadditional benefits. The examples provided herein of some prior orrelated systems and their associated limitations are intended to beillustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of existing or priorsystems will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon readingthe following Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by wayof example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 depicts an example wireless power delivery environmentillustrating anytime beaconing for one or more wireless powertransmission systems to deliver wireless power to various wirelessdevices within the wireless power delivery environment usingfull-duplexing in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram illustrating an example operation foranytime beaconing performed by a wireless power transmission system towirelessly transmit power to one or more wireless receiver clients inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 depicts a sequence diagram for anytime beaconing between awireless power transmission system and a wireless receiver client forwireless power delivery in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of awireless power transmission system for anytime beaconing in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram illustrating example wireless powerreceiver client in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict diagrams illustrating an example roaming wirelesspower delivery environment for anytime beaconing in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram illustrating an example full-duplex timingschedule for anytime beaconing in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of arepresentative mobile device or tablet computer with one or morewireless power receiver clients in the form of a mobile (or smart) phoneor tablet computer device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 depicts a diagrammatic representation of a machine, in theexample form, of a computer system within which a set of instructions,for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein, may be executed.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method for wireless power transmission usingfull-duplexing is described. The method includes receiving an encodedbeacon signal delivered from and initiated by a wireless power receiverclient configured to receive wireless power from the wireless powertransmission system. The method further includes delivering wirelesspower to the wireless power receiver client and simultaneously detectingfor additional encoded beacon signals delivered from and initiated byadditional wireless power receiver clients.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of thepresent invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description, which shows and describesillustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, theinvention is capable of modifications in various aspects, all withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, thedrawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative innature and not restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques are described herein for full-duplex power transmission inwireless transmission environment applications. More specifically,embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques for receivingone or more encoded signals from a wireless transmission power receiverclient while simultaneously delivering wireless power to other wirelesspower receiver clients.

A structure that facilitates wireless power transmission is describedherein. More specifically, a wireless power transmission system usingfull-duplexing is disclosed for delivering wireless power to a firstwireless power receiver client while simultaneously monitoring forand/or receiving beacons from other wireless power receiver clients. Thewireless power transmission system may include multiple antenna arraysfor receiving beacons from a wireless power receiver client andtransmitting power back to the wireless power receiver client. Theallocation of antenna arrays transmitting power and wireless powerclients receiving power may be determined based on initiation by thewireless power receiver clients instead of a time schedule determined bythe wireless power transmission system. Therefore, the wireless powerreceiver client may be able to stay in a passive power harvesting modeand wakeup when wireless power is needed and without having to listenfor a beacon schedule from the wireless power transmission system toinitiate power transmission. Further, in such systems, full-duplexing ofthe wireless power transmission system is necessary for simultaneouslyreceiving encoded beacon signals from and transmitting wireless power tothe wireless power receiver client to ensure effective and efficientservice.

The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not tobe construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certaininstances, well-known or conventional details are not described in orderto avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodimentin the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references tothe same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of theembodiments.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments but no other embodiments.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used todescribe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotationmarks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated thatsame thing can be said in more than one way.

Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any oneor more of the terms discussed herein, nor is any special significanceto be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussedherein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one ormore synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use ofexamples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any termsdiscussed herein, is illustrative only, and is not intended to furtherlimit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplifiedterm. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodimentsgiven in this specification.

Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples ofinstruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according tothe embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note thattitles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of areader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unlessotherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in theart to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, thepresent document, including definitions, will control.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram including an example wireless powertransmission environment 100 illustrating wireless power delivery fromone or more wireless power transmission system, such as wireless powertransmission system 101, using full-duplexing for anytime beaconing.More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates power transmission to one or morewireless power receiver clients 110-112 (also referred to as “wirelesspower delivery systems”, “antenna array systems” and “wirelesschargers”). Wireless power transmission system 101 is configured toreceive encoded beacons from and transmit wireless power to wirelesspower receiver clients 110-112 (also referred to herein as “clients” and“wireless power receivers”). Wireless power receiver clients 110-112 areconfigured to receive and process wireless power from one or morewireless power transmission systems, such as wireless power transmissionsystem 101. Components of an example wireless power transmission system101 are shown and discussed in greater detail below, as well as in FIG.4. Components of an example wireless power receiver clients 110-112 areshown and discussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 5.

Wireless power transmission system 101 can include multiple antennas 103a-103 n, e.g., an antenna array including hundreds or thousands ofantennas, which are capable of delivering wireless power to wirelesspower receiver clients 110-112. In some embodiments, the antennas areadaptively-phased radio frequency (RF) antennas. The wireless powertransmission system 101 is capable of determining the appropriate phaseswith which to deliver a coherent power transmission signal to wirelesspower receiver clients 110-112. The array is configured to emit a signal(e.g., continuous wave or pulsed power transmission signal) frommultiple antennas at a specific phase relative to each other. It isappreciated that use of the term “array” does not necessarily limit theantenna array to any specific array structure. That is, the antennaarray does not need to be structured in a specific “array” form orgeometry. Furthermore, as used herein the term “array” or “array system”may be used include related and peripheral circuitry for signalgeneration, reception and transmission, such as radios, digital logicand modems. In some embodiments, the wireless power transmission system101 can have an embedded Wi-Fi hub for data communications via one ormore antennas or transceivers.

As illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, power delivery antennas 103a-103 n are included in wireless power transmission system 101. Thepower delivery antennas 103 a-103 n are configured to provide deliveryof wireless radio frequency power in the wireless power deliveryenvironment. In some embodiments, one or more of the power deliveryantennas 103 a-103 n can alternatively or additionally be configured fordata communications in addition to or in lieu of wireless powerdelivery. The one or more data communication antennas are configured tosend data communications to and receive data communications fromwireless power receiver clients 110-112. In some embodiments, the datacommunication antennas can communicate via Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™, ZigBee™,etc. Other data communication protocols are also possible. In someembodiments, one or more of the power delivery antennas 103 a-103 n canalternatively or additionally be configured for data communications inaddition to or in lieu of wireless power delivery. The one or more datacommunication antennas are configured to send data communications to andreceive data communications from wireless power receiver clients110-112.

Each of wireless power receiver clients 110-112 includes one or moreantennas (not shown) for transmitting signals to and receiving signalsfrom wireless power transmission system 101. Likewise, wireless powertransmission system 101 includes an antenna array having one or moreantennas and/or sets of antennas capable of emitting continuous wave ordiscrete (pulse) signals at specific phases relative to each other. Asdiscussed above, wireless power transmission system 101 is capable ofdetermining the appropriate phases for delivering the coherent signalsto the power delivery antennas 103 a-103 n. For example, in someembodiments, coherent signals can be determined by computing the complexconjugate of a received beacon (or calibration) signal at each antennaof the array such that the coherent signal is phased for deliveringpower to the particular power receiver client that transmitted thebeacon (or calibration) signal. The wave can be configured to emit asignal (e.g., continuous wave or pulsed transmission signal) frommultiple antennas using multiple waveguides at a specific phase relativeto each other. Other techniques for delivering a coherent wireless powersignal are also applicable such as, for example, the techniquesdiscussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/852,348 titled“Transmission Path Identification based on Propagation ChannelDiversity” filed on the same day as this application; which is expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

Although not illustrated, each component of the environment, e.g.,wireless power receiver clients 110-112, wireless power transmissionsystem 101, can include control and synchronization mechanisms, e.g., adata communication synchronization module. Wireless power transmissionsystem 101 can be connected to a power source such as, for example, apower outlet or source connecting the wireless power transmissionsystems to a standard or primary alternating current (AC) power supplyin a building. Alternatively, or additionally, wireless powertransmission system 101 can be powered by a battery or via othermechanisms, e.g., solar cells, etc.

As shown in the example of FIG. 1, wireless power receiver clients110-112 include mobile phone devices and a wireless tablet. However,wireless power receiver clients 110-112 can be any device or system thatneeds power and is capable of receiving wireless power via one or moreintegrated power receiver clients. As discussed herein, the one or moreintegrated power receiver clients receive and process power from one ormore wireless power transmission systems and provide the power to thewireless power receiver clients 110-112 (or internal batteries of thewireless devices) for operation thereof.

As described herein, each of wireless power receiver clients 110-112 canbe any system and/or device, and/or any combination of devices/systemsthat can establish a connection with another device, a server and/orother systems within the example environment 100. In some embodiments,the wireless power receiver clients 110-112 each include displays orother output functionalities to present data to a user and/or inputfunctionalities to receive data from the user. By way of example,wireless power receiver client 110 can be, but is not limited to, avideo game controller, a server desktop, a desktop computer, a computercluster, a mobile computing device such as a notebook, a laptopcomputer, a handheld computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a PDA, aBlackberry device, a Treo, and/or an iPhone, etc. By way of example andnot limitation, wireless power receiver client 110 can also be anywearable device such as watches, necklaces, rings or even devicesembedded on or within the customer. Other examples of wireless powerreceiver client 110 include, but are not limited to, safety sensors(e.g., fire or carbon monoxide), electric toothbrushes, electronic doorlock/handles, electric light switch controller, electric shavers, etc.

Although not illustrated in the example of FIG. 1, the wireless powertransmission system 101 and the power receiver clients 110-112 can eachinclude a data communication module for communication via a datachannel. Alternatively, or additionally, the power receiver clients110-112 can direct antennas to communicate with wireless powertransmission system 101 via existing data communications modules. Insome embodiments the beacon signal, which is primarily referred toherein as a continuous waveform, can alternatively or additionally takethe form of a modulated signal.

Wireless power transmission system also includes control circuit 102.Control circuit 102 is configured to provide control and intelligence tothe wireless power transmission system components. Control circuit 102may comprise one or more processors, memory units, etc., and direct andcontrol the various data and power communications. Control circuit 102can direct data communications on a data carrier frequency. Likewise,control circuit 102 can direct wireless transmission system 100 tocommunicate with receiving devices as discussed herein. The datacommunications can be, by way of example and not limitation, Bluetooth™,Wi-Fi™ ZigBee™, etc. Other communication protocols are possible.

It is appreciated that the use of the term “wireless power transmissionsystem” does not necessarily limit the wireless power transmissionsystem to any specific structure. That is, the wireless powertransmission system does not need to be structured in a specific form orgeometry. Furthermore, as used herein the term “transmission system” or“wireless power transmission system” may be used to include related andperipheral circuitry for signal generation, reception and transmission,such as radios, digital logic and modems.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating example operation 200 for wirelesspower delivery from one or more wireless power transmission system, suchas wireless power transmission system 101, using full-duplexing foranytime beaconing in accordance with an embodiment. As discussed, insome embodiments, wireless power transmission system 101 may be used forwireless communication transmission waves, wireless power transmissionwaves, or dual-purpose data/power transmission waves. In an initialstep, wireless power transmission system 101 receives (201) an encodedbeacon signal delivered from and initiated by wireless power receiverclient 110 configured to receive wireless power from the wireless powertransmission system 101.

In some embodiments, wireless power receiver client 110 initiates theencoded beacon signal when wireless power receiver client 110 determinesa low power level of wireless power receiver client 110. In this exampleembodiment, wireless power receiver client 110 may remain in sleep modeuntil it determines that the power level is below a threshold value.Wireless power receiver client 110 may then wakeup and initiate thewireless power transmission by transmitting the encoded beacon signal towireless power transmission system 101.

In other embodiments, wireless power receiver client 110 may initiatethe encoded beacon signal when wireless power receiver client 110determines a movement of wireless power receiver client 110 into areceiving range of wireless power transmission system 101. Wirelesspower receiver client 110 may include a motion detector to detect whenthe user of the power receiving device is roaming. Wireless powerreceiver client 110 may also determine to initiate the wireless powertransmission by determining that the signal strength of wireless powertransmission system is above a signal strength range and therefore, thatthe user has roamed into the wireless power charging range of wirelesspower transmission system 101.

In some embodiments, the wireless power receiver client 110 may initiatethe encoded beacon signal on a time-based schedule or some othertrigger-based event, e.g., motion detection, temperature threshold,button press on the device, etc.

In a next operation, wireless power transmission system 101 deliverswireless power to wireless power receiver client 110 (step 202).Wireless power transmission system 101 simultaneously detects foradditional encoded beacon signals delivered from and initiated bywireless power receiver client 111 (step 203).

In some embodiments, wireless power transmission system 101 processesthe encoded beacon signal received from the wireless power receiverclient to identify client-specific information associated with thewireless power receiver client. In this manner, beacon signals fromwireless power receiver clients 110-112 can be identified. In yet otherembodiments, wireless power transmission system 101 processes theencoded beacon received from wireless power receiver client 110 toidentify client-specific information associated with wireless powerreceiver client 110 by processing a received phase of the encoded beaconreceived from wireless power receiver client 110 and identifying theclient-specific information associated with wireless power receiverclient 110 based on a stored phase corresponding to the received phaseon the encoded beacon.

Client-specific information can include various properties and/orrequirements corresponding to wireless power receiver client 110. Forexample, the client-specific information can include, but is not limitedto, battery level of wireless power receiver client 110, battery levelof first wireless power receiver client 110, battery usage information,temperature information, distance to wireless power transmission system101, additional wireless power transmission systems currently providingpower to wireless power receiver client 110, etc.

The beacon signals can be encoded or modulated with a transmissionconfiguration that is provided to selected clients in the wireless powerdelivery environment. The transmission configuration may be coherentsignals determined by computing the complex conjugate of a receivedbeacon (or calibration) signal at each antenna of the array such thatthe coherent signal is phased for delivering power. In some embodiments,a different transmission configuration is provided to each client orcommunication path. Different transmission configurations for each ofwireless power receiver clients 110-112 can facilitate simultaneous ornear simultaneous transmission of beacon signaling by the clients in thewireless power delivery environment further ensuring that onlyauthorized (selected) clients are “locked” by the wireless powerdelivery system.

In some implementations, wireless power transmission system 101 may alsogenerate a transmission configuration for the wireless power receiverclient based on the client-specific information. Wireless powertransmission system 101 directs an antenna array to deliver wirelesspower to wireless power receiver client 110 using the generatedtransmission configuration. Wireless power transmission system 101simultaneously receives another encoded beacon signal delivered from andinitiated by wireless power receiver client 111 of the additionalwireless power receiver clients.

In some embodiments, wireless power transmission system 101 generates atransmission configuration for first wireless power receiver client 110based on the encoded beacon signal by determining a complex conjugate ofthe beacon signal at each antenna of an antenna array and calculatingthe first power transmission phase-shift based on the complex conjugateof the beacon signal at each antenna of the antenna array. In thisexample embodiment, wireless power transmission system 101 directs theantenna array to deliver wireless power to first wireless power receiverclient 110 using the generated transmission configuration by directingthe antenna array to deliver wireless power to wireless power receiverclient 110 using the calculated power transmission phase-shift.

In still another embodiment, wireless power transmission system 101delivers the wireless power to wireless power receiver client 110 on afirst frequency channel or subchannel and another encoded beacon signalis simultaneously received from wireless power receiver client 111 on asecond frequency channel or subchannel. In other example embodiments,wireless power receiver client 110 is configured to simultaneouslyreceive wireless power from multiple wireless power transmissionsystems. Wireless power receiver clients 110-112 may each be configuredto use half-duplexing.

Other embodiments may include signal and echo cancellation techniqueswhich contribute toward reducing the interaction between the receiver onwireless power transmission system 101 receiving the encoded beaconsignals and the transmitter on wireless power transmission system 101transmitting the wireless power. For example, wireless transmissionsystem 101 may require 100-125 decibels (dB) of echo cancellation fromthe incoming beacon signal. Some example rejection techniques allow forcancelling out and filtering the received and transmitted signals usingcalibration to tune the phase and amplitude of the cancellation path tomatch the transmission leakage at the center frequency. One proposedmethod to broaden the cancellation bandwidth is to use the time domainof an inverse Fourier transform to reveal main leakage paths originatingfrom finite isolation through the antennas and signal reflection fromthe antennas. This method then utilizes adaptive filters to create aninverse time-domain response of the leakage path to track a time-varyingresponse. Cancellation may further be improved by using tap adaptivefilters, analog radio frequency cancellers, attenuation capacitors, andby attaching cancellers to differential low-impedance sides of anoutput-matching network. Out of band filtering can also be utilized toobtain 100+ dB isolation between incoming and outgoing RF if the systemdetects a slight difference between the transmitted power and incomingpower to maintain a good isolation margin and acceptable phaserelevance.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating example operations ofillustrating wireless power delivery from one or more wireless powertransmission system, such as wireless power transmission system 101,using full-duplexing for anytime beaconing in accordance with anembodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, various steps are performed during acorresponding time block. It should be noted that although the timeblocks are sequential and consecutive in this example embodiment, inother embodiments the time blocks may vary in order or space betweenreception of one encoded beacon signal and transmission of the powersignal. However, in either scenario, wireless power transmission system101 may receive encoded beacon signals and transmit power signalsanytime and to multiple wireless power receiver clients.

Initially, at time block one, wireless power transmission system 101receives an encoded beacon signal from first wireless power receiverclient 110. For example, first wireless power receiver client 110 mayinitially be in sleep mode and not listening to wireless powertransmission system 101. First wireless power receiver 110 may thendetermine that the battery power level is low and wakeup. First wirelesspower receiver 110 may then initiate the wireless power transmission inresponse to determining that the battery power is below a thresholdlevel. Although not shown, wireless power transmission system 101 thenprocesses the encoded beacon signal received from first wireless powerreceiver client 110 to identify client-specific information associatedwith wireless power receiver client 110. Wireless power transmissionsystem 101 may also generate a transmission configuration for firstwireless power receiver client 110 based on the client-specificinformation.

Moving to the second time block on the sequence diagram, wireless powertransmission system 101 delivers wireless power to first wireless powerreceiver client 110 during a second time block using the generatedtransmission configuration. Also during the second time block, wirelesspower transmission system 101 simultaneously receives another encodedbeacon signal delivered from and initiated by second wireless powerreceiver client 111 of the plurality of wireless power receiver clients.Like first wireless power receiver client 110, second wireless powerreceiver client 111 may initiate the encoded beacon signal in responseto determining that its power level is below a threshold power level.

At this point in the sequence, wireless power transmission system 101processes the new encoded beacon signal received from second wirelesspower receiver client 111 to identify client-specific informationassociated with second wireless power receiver client 111. Wirelesspower transmission system 101 may also generate a transmissionconfiguration for second wireless power receiver client 111 based on theclient-specific information. The process then continues to a subsequenttime block in which wireless power transmission system 101 deliverswireless power to second wireless power receiver client 111 during asubsequent time block using the generated transmission configuration.Also during the subsequent time block, wireless power transmissionsystem 101 simultaneously receives additional encoded beacon signalsdelivered from and initiated by additional wireless power receiverclients of the plurality of wireless power receiver clients.

FIG. 4 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of awireless power transmission system 400 for anytime beaconing inaccordance with some embodiments. As illustrated in the example of FIG.4, the wireless power transmission system 400 includes a control logic401, external power interface 402, and power system 403. Control logic401 includes processor 404 and memory 405. Additionally, wireless powertransmission system 400 includes signal generator 406 transmitting wavesto antenna array boards 407. Each antenna array board 407 includesswitches 420 a-420 n, phase shifters 430 a-430 n, power amplifiers 440a-440 n, and antenna arrays 450 a-450 n.

Control logic 401 is configured to provide control and intelligence tothe array components. Control logic 401 may direct and control thevarious data and power communications. Signal generator 406 can computea signal wave comprising power or data communications on a data carrierfrequency. The signal wave can be Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™ ZigBee™, etc.,including combinations or variations thereof. In some embodiments, logic401 can also determine a transmission configuration comprising aphase-shift based the encoded beacon signal received from receiverdevice 410.

The external power interface 402 is configured to receive external powerand provide the power to various components. In some embodiments, theexternal power interface 402 may be configured to receive a standardexternal 24 Volt power supply. In other embodiments, the external powerinterface 402 can be, for example, 120/240 Volt AC mains to an embeddedDC power supply which sources the required 12/24/48 Volt DC to providethe power to various components. Alternatively, the external powerinterface could be a DC supply which sources the required 12/24/48 VoltsDC. Alternative configurations are also possible.

Switches 420 a-420 n may be activated to transmit power and receiveencoded beacon signals when the switches are closed, as can be seen bythe connected lines inside each of switches 420 a-420 n. On the otherhand, switches 420 a-420 n may be deactivated for power transmission andencoded beacon reception when the switches are open, as can be seen bythe disconnected lines inside each of switches 420 a-420 n. Additionalcomponents are also possible. For example, in some embodimentsphase-shifters 430 a-430 n are included to change the phase of thefrequency when transmitting power to receiver device 410. Phase shifter430 a-430 n may transmit the power signal to receiver device 410 basedon a complex conjugate of the phase included in the encoded beaconingsignal from receiver device 410. The phase-shift may also be determinedby processing the encoded beaconing signal received from receiver device410 and identifying receiver device 410. Wireless power transmissionsystem 400 may then determine a phase-shift associated with receiverdevice 410 to transmit the power signal.

In operation, control logic 401, which controls the wireless powertransmission system 400, receives power from a power source overexternal power interface 402 and is activated. Control logic 401 mayidentify available wireless receiver client 410 within range of thewireless power transmission system by receiving an encoded beacon signalinitiated by the wireless receiver client 410 at antennas 450 a-450 n.When the wireless receiver client 410 is identified based on the encodedbeaconing signal, a set of antenna elements on the wireless powertransmission system power on, enumerate, and (optionally) calibrate forwireless power transmission. At this point, control logic 401 may alsobe able to simultaneously receive additional encoded beaconing signalsfrom other wireless receiver clients at antennas 450 a-450 n.

Once the transmission configuration has been generated and instructionshave been received from control logic 401, signal generator 406generates and transfers the power waves to antenna boards 407. Based onthe instruction and generated signals, power switches 420 a-420 n areopened or closed and phase shifters 430 a-430 n are set to the phaseassociated with the transmission configuration. The power signal is thenamplified by power amplifiers 440 a-440 n and transmitted at an angledirected toward receiver device 410. As discussed herein, a set ofantennas 450 a-450 n are simultaneously receiving encoded beacon signalsfrom additional receiver clients.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram illustrating example wireless powerreceiver client in accordance with some embodiments. As illustrated inthe example of FIG. 5, wireless power receiver client 500 includescontrol logic 501, battery 502, an IoT control module 503, communicationblock 506 and associated antenna 520, power meter 509, rectifier 510, acombiner 511, beacon signal generator 507, beacon coding unit 508 and anassociated antenna 521, and switch 512 connecting the rectifier 510 orthe beacon signal generator 507 to one or more associated antennas 522a-522 n. Some or all of the components can be omitted in someembodiments. It should be noted that although the wireless powertransmission system 400 may use full-duplexing, wireless power receiverclient 500 may use half-duplexing.

A combiner 511 receives and combines the received power transmissionsignals from the power transmitter of the wireless power receiver client500. The combiner can be any combiner or divider circuit that isconfigured to achieve isolation between the output ports whilemaintaining a matched condition. For example, the combiner 511 can be aWilkinson Power Divider circuit. The rectifier 510 receives the combinedpower transmission signal from the combiner 511, if present, which isfed through the power meter 509 to the battery 502 for charging. Inother embodiments, each antenna's power path can have its own rectifier510 and the DC power out of the rectifiers is combined prior to feedingthe power meter 509. The power meter 509 can measure the received powersignal strength and provides the control logic 501 with thismeasurement.

Battery 502 can include protection circuitry and/or monitoringfunctions. Additionally, the battery 502 can include one or morefeatures, including, but not limited to, current limiting, temperatureprotection, over/under voltage alerts and protection, and coulombmonitoring. The control logic 501 can receive the battery power levelfrom the battery 502 itself. The control logic 501 may alsotransmit/receive via the communication block 506 a data signal on a datacarrier frequency, such as the base signal clock for clocksynchronization. The beacon signal generator 507 generates the beaconsignal, or calibration signal, transmits the beacon signal using antenna521 after the beacon signal is encoded.

It may be noted that, although the battery 502 is shown as charged by,and providing power to, wireless power receiver client 500, the receivermay also receive its power directly from the rectifier 510. This may bein addition to the rectifier 510 providing charging current to thebattery 502, or in lieu of providing charging. Also, it may be notedthat the use of multiple antennas is one example of implementation andthe structure may be reduced to one shared antenna.

In some embodiments, the control logic 501 and/or the IoT control module503 can communicate with and/or otherwise derive IoT information fromwireless power receiver client 500. The IoT information can include, butis not limited to, information about the capabilities of the wirelesspower receiver client 500, usage information of the wireless powerreceiver client 500, power levels of the battery or batteries of thewireless power receiver client 500, and/or information obtained orinferred by the wireless power receiver client 500. In some embodiments,a client identifier (ID) module 505 stores a client ID that can uniquelyidentify the power receiver client in a wireless power deliveryenvironment. For example, the ID can be transmitted to one or morewireless power transmission systems in the encoded beacon signal. Insome embodiments, power receiver clients may also be able to receive andidentify other power receiver clients in a wireless power deliveryenvironment based on the client ID.

An optional motion sensor 504 can detect motion and signal the controllogic 501 to act accordingly. For example, a device receiving power mayintegrate motion detection mechanisms such as accelerometers orequivalent mechanisms to detect motion. Once the device detects that itis in motion, it may be assumed that it is being handled by a user, andwould trigger a signal to the array to either to stop transmittingpower, or to initiate wireless power transmission from the wirelesspower transmission system using the encoded beacon. In some embodiments,when a device is used in a moving environment like a car, train orplane, the power might only be transmitted intermittently or at areduced level unless the device is critically low on power.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict diagrams illustrating example roaming wirelesspower delivery environment 600 for anytime beaconing in accordance withsome embodiments. Referring to FIG. 6A, roaming wireless power deliveryenvironment 600 includes wireless power transmission systems 601-602 andwireless power charging ranges, as indicated by the dashed-linedsemi-circles radiating out of each of wireless power transmission system601-602. Roaming wireless power delivery environment 600 also includes auser operating wireless power receiver client 610. It should be notedthat wireless power receiver client 610 transmits an encoded beaconsignal to wireless power transmission system 601, as indicated by thedotted-lined arrow. In return, wireless power receiver client 610receives a wireless power signal from wireless power transmission system601, as indicated by the solid-lined arrow.

Referring next to FIG. 6B, the user has now roamed into the wirelesspower charging range associated with wireless power transmission system101. In this particular example, wireless power receiving client 610 isstill receiving wireless power from wireless power transmission system601. However, upon entering the wireless power charging range ofwireless power transmission system 602, wireless power receiver client610 initiates an additional encoded beacon signal, this time to wirelesspower transmission system 602. Wireless power receiver client thenreceives power from both wireless power transmission systems 601-602.

Advantageously, wireless power receiver client 610 may initiate wirelesspower transmission whenever wireless power receiver client 610determines that it is within range of a wireless power transmissionsystem 601. Therefore, wireless power receiver client 610 does not needto continuously listen for instructions on when to receive wirelesspower transmissions from a wireless power transmission system. Incontrast, wireless power receiver client 610 can sleep and wake up whenit determines that it is within range of a wireless power transmissionsystem. This can save power for wireless power receiver device 610 andoperate using a passive power harvesting mode instead of an active powerharvesting mode. Additionally, wireless power receiver client 610 canreceive power from any wireless power transmission system and not from aspecific wireless power transmission system since wireless powerreceiver client 610 is registered with the roaming wireless powerdelivery environment and not with any particular wireless powertransmission system.

FIG. 7 is a timing diagram illustrating an example full-duplex timingschedule for anytime beaconing in accordance with some embodiments. Asshown on the timing diagram, wireless power receiver clients maytransmit encoded beacon signals over a first frequency channel andreceive wireless power on a second frequency channel. Each frequencychannel includes multiple phases to enable full-duplexing in receivingencoded beacon signals and transmitting wireless power. Additionally,the full-duplex timing schedule for anytime beaconing includes timeblock one through time block N.

In operation, the wireless power transmission system receives a firstencoded beacon signal from a first power receiver client in the firsttime block. As illustrated on the full-duplex timing schedule, theencoded beacon signal from the first wireless power receiver client isreceived over the first frequency channel and in a first phase, such asphase 1-A. Although not shown, wireless power transmission system thenprocesses the encoded beacon signal received from the first wirelesspower receiver client to identify client-specific information associatedwith the first wireless power receiver client. In this example, thewireless power transmission system may process the received phase of theencoded beacon (such as phase 1-A on frequency channel one) receivedfrom the first wireless power receiver client and identify theclient-specific information associated with the first wireless powerreceiver client based on a stored phase corresponding to the receivedphase on the encoded beacon (such as phase 2-A on frequency channeltwo). Wireless power transmission system may then generate atransmission configuration for the first wireless power receiver clientbased on the client-specific information.

In the next time block, the wireless power transmission system directsthe antenna array to deliver wireless power to the first wireless powerreceiver client on the second frequency and phase 2-B during time blocktwo. Also during time block two, wireless power transmission systemsimultaneously receives another encoded beacon signal delivered from andinitiated by the second wireless power receiver client over phase 1-Cand the third wireless power receiver client over phase 1-C on the firstfrequency channel. During time block N, wireless power transmissionsystem transmits wireless power to each of the wireless power receiverclients over phases A-C on the second frequency channel. Advantageously,the wireless power transmission system can both receive encoded beaconsignals and transmit wireless power signals to multiple clients during asingle time block. This results in optimal charging efficiency and areduction on time spent communication and coordinating powertransmission schedules between wireless power receiver clients.

FIG. 8 depicts a block diagram illustrating example components of arepresentative mobile device or tablet computer with one or morewireless power receiver clients in the form of a mobile (or smart) phoneor tablet computer device in accordance with some embodiments. That is,the wireless power receiver client 800 can incorporate a system (i.e.,an architecture) 802 to implement some examples. In one example, thesystem is implemented as a “smart phone” capable of receiving wirelesspower transmissions from wireless power transmission systems. In someexamples, the system is integrated as a computing device, such as anintegrated personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet and wireless phone.

One or more application programs 804 may be loaded into the memory 802and run on or in association with the operating system 803. Examples ofthe application programs include phone dialer programs, e-mail programs,personal information management (PIM) programs, word processingprograms, spreadsheet programs, Internet browser programs, messagingprograms, and so forth. The system also includes a non-volatile storagearea 805 within the memory 802. The non-volatile storage area 805 may beused to store persistent information that should not be lost if thesystem is powered down. The application programs 804 may use and storeinformation in the non-volatile storage area 805, such as e-mail orother messages used by an e-mail application, and the like. Asynchronization application (not shown) also resides on the system andis programmed to interact with a corresponding synchronizationapplication resident on a host computer to keep the information storedin the non-volatile storage area 805 synchronized with correspondinginformation stored at the host computer. As should be appreciated, otherapplications may be loaded into the memory 802 and run on the mobilecomputing device described herein.

The system has a power supply 806, which may be implemented as one ormore batteries. The power supply 806 might further include an externalpower source, such as an AC adapter or a powered docking cradle thatsupplements or recharges the batteries. The wireless power receiverclient 800 typically includes a display 807 and keypad 809 that allowthe user to enter information into the wireless power receiver client800. The display 807 of the wireless power receiver client 800 may alsofunction as an input device (e.g., touch screen display). In alternativeexamples, wireless power receiver client 800 may incorporate more orless input elements. For example, the display 807 may not be a touchscreen in some examples. In yet another alternative example, thewireless power receiver client 800 is a portable phone system, such as acellular phone. Optional keypad 809 may be a physical keypad or a “soft”keypad generated on the touch screen display or any other soft inputpanel (SIP). In various examples, the output elements include thedisplay 807 for showing a GUI. In some examples, the wireless powerreceiver client 800 incorporates a vibration transducer for providingthe user with tactile feedback. In yet another example, the wirelesspower receiver client 800 incorporates input and/or output ports, suchas an audio input (e.g., a microphone jack), an audio output (e.g., aheadphone jack), and a video output (e.g., a HDMI port) for sendingsignals to or receiving signals from an external device.

The system may include device port 808 that performs the function offacilitating connectivity between system and one or more peripheraldevices. Transmissions to and from the device port 808 are conductedunder control of the operating system 803. In other words,communications received by the device port 808 may be disseminated tothe application programs 804 via the operating system 803, and viceversa. The system also includes a radio interface layer 810 thatperforms the function of transmitting and receiving encoded beaconsignals. The radio interface layer 810 facilitates wireless connectivitybetween the system and the “outside world,” to initiate a wireless powertransmission. Transmissions to and from the radio interface layer 810are conducted under control of the operating system 803. In other words,communications received by the radio interface layer 810 may bedisseminated to the application programs 804 via the operating system803, and vice versa.

A mobile wireless power receiver client 800 implementing the system mayhave additional features or functionality. For example, the mobilewireless power receiver client 800 may also include additional datastorage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, magneticdisks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage is illustrated inFIG. 8 by the non-volatile storage area 805. Data/information generatedor captured by the mobile wireless power receiver client 800 and storedvia the system may be stored locally on the mobile wireless powerreceiver client 800, as described above, or the data may be stored onany number of storage media that may be accessed by the device via theradio interface layer 810 or via a wired connection between the mobilewireless power receiver client 800 and a separate computing deviceassociated with the mobile wireless power receiver client 800, forexample, a server computer in a distributed computing network, such asthe Internet. As should be appreciated such data/information may beaccessed via the mobile wireless power receiver client 800 via the radiointerface layer 810 or via a distributed computing network. Similarly,such data/information may be readily transferred between computingdevices for storage and use according to well-known data/informationtransfer and storage means, including electronic mail and collaborativedata/information sharing systems.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example wireless communicationsignal delivery environment for anytime beaconing in accordance with anembodiment. The wireless signal delivery environment 900 includeswireless power transmission system 901, a user operating receiverdevices 902 a-902 b, and wireless network 909. wireless powertransmission system 601 can be wireless power transmission system 101depicted in FIG. 1 or wireless power transmission system 400 of FIG. 4,although alternative configurations are possible. Likewise, receiverdevices 902 a-902 b can be wireless power receiver clients 110-112 ofFIG. 1, respectively, although alternative configurations are possible.

Wireless power transmission system 901 includes power supply 903, memory904, processor 905, interface 906, and one or more antennas (ortransceivers) 907 that have a radiation and reception pattern directedin a space proximate to receiver device 902. wireless power transmissionsystem 901 transmits a wireless communication signal over multipleantennas 907 to receiver devices 902 a-902 b. As discussed herein,wireless power transmission system 901 transmits the wirelesscommunication signal at an angle in the direction of receiver devices902 a-902 b such that the strength of the received communication signalby receiver devices 902 a-902 b depends on the accuracy of thedirectivity of the beams from antennas 907.

A fundamental property of antennas is that the receiving pattern(sensitivity as a function of direction) of an antenna when used forreceiving is identical to the far-field radiation pattern of the antennawhen used for transmitting. This is a consequence of the reciprocitytheorem in electromagnetics. As shown in the example of FIG. 9, theradiation pattern can be any number of shapes and strengths depending onthe directivity of the beam created by the waveform characteristics andthe types of antennas (e.g., horn antennas, simple vertical antenna,etc.) used in the antenna design of antennas 907. For example, theradiation pattern can comprise various directive patterns and any numberof different antenna radiation patterns is possible in a wirelesscommunication delivery environment. By way of example and notlimitation, the wireless power transmit characteristics can includephase settings for each antenna or transceiver, transmission powersettings, etc.

As discussed herein, the wireless power transmission system 901determines the wireless communication transmit characteristics suchthat, once the antennas or transceivers are configured, the multipleantennas or transceivers are operable to transmit a wireless powersignal that matches the client radiation pattern in the space proximateto the client device. Advantageously, as discussed herein, the wirelesscommunication signal may be adjusted to more accurately direct the beamof the wireless communication signal toward receiver devices 902 a-902b.

The directivity of the radiation pattern shown in the example of FIG. 9is illustrated for simplicity, it is appreciated that any number ofpaths can be utilized for transmitting the wireless communication signalto receiver devices 902 a-902 b depending on, among other factors,reflective and absorptive objects in the wireless communication deliveryenvironment.

The positioning and repositioning of receiver devices 902 a-902 b in thewireless communication delivery environment may be tracked by wirelesspower transmission system 901 using a three-dimensional angle ofincidence of an RF signal (at any polarity) paired with a distancedetermined by using an RF signal strength or any other method. Asdiscussed herein, an array of antennas capable of measuring phase may beused to detect a wave-front angle of incidence. An angle of directiontoward receiver devices 902 a-902 b may be determined based on distanceto receiver devices 902 a-902 b and on power calculations.Alternatively, or additionally, the angle of direction to receiverdevices 902 a-902 b can be determined from multiple array segments.

In some embodiments, the degree of accuracy in determining the angle ofdirection toward receiver devices 902 a-902 b depends on the size andnumber of antennas 907, number of phase steps, method of phasedetection, accuracy of distance measurement method, RF noise level inenvironment, etc. In some embodiments, users may be asked to agree to aprivacy policy defined by an administrator for tracking their locationand movements within the environment. Furthermore, in some embodiments,the system can use the location information to modify the flow ofinformation between devices and optimize the environment. Additionally,the system can track historical wireless device location information anddevelop movement pattern information, profile information, andpreference information.

Some portions of the detailed description may be presented in terms ofalgorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bitswithin a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions andrepresentations are the means used by those skilled in the dataprocessing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their workto others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally,conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of operations leading to adesired result. The operations are those requiring physicalmanipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily,these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capableof being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwisemanipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasonsof common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements,symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the followingdiscussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description,discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or“calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to theaction and processes of a computer system, or similar electroniccomputing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented asphysical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registersand memories into other data similarly represented as physicalquantities within the computer system memories or registers or othersuch information storage, transmission or display devices.

The algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently relatedto any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general purposesystems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachingsherein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specializedapparatus to perform the methods of some embodiments. The requiredstructure for a variety of these systems will appear from thedescription below. In addition, the techniques are not described withreference to any particular programming language, and variousembodiments may thus be implemented using a variety of programminglanguages.

In alternative embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone deviceor may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient machine in a client-server network environment or as a peermachine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may be a server computer, a client computer, a personalcomputer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a set-top box (STB), apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, an iPhone, aBlackberry, a processor, a telephone, a web appliance, a network router,switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine.

While the machine-readable medium or machine-readable storage medium isshown in an exemplary embodiment to be a single medium, the term“machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” shouldbe taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andservers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term“machine-readable medium” and “machine-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encodingor carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and thatcause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of thepresently disclosed technique and innovation.

In general, the routines executed to implement the embodiments of thedisclosure, may be implemented as part of an operating system or aspecific application, component, program, object, module or sequence ofinstructions referred to as “computer programs.” The computer programstypically comprise one or more instructions set at various times invarious memory and storage devices in a computer, and that, when readand executed by one or more processing units or processors in acomputer, cause the computer to perform operations to execute elementsinvolving the various aspects of the disclosure.

Moreover, while embodiments have been described in the context of fullyfunctioning computers and computer systems, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the various embodiments are capable of beingdistributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that thedisclosure applies equally regardless of the particular type of machineor computer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution.

Further examples of machine-readable storage media, machine-readablemedia, or computer-readable (storage) media include but are not limitedto recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memorydevices, floppy and other removable disks, hard disk drives, opticaldisks (e.g., Compact Disk Read-Only Memory (CD ROMS), Digital VersatileDisks, (DVDs), etc.), among others, and transmission type media such asdigital and analog communication links.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,”“coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling,either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling ofconnection between the elements can be physical, logical, or acombination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,”and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall referto this application as a whole and not to any particular portions ofthis application. Where the context permits, words in the above DetailedDescription using the singular or plural number may also include theplural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to alist of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretationsof the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list,and any combination of the items in the list.

The above detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise formdisclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, thedisclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of thedisclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Forexample, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order,alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps, or employsystems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes orblocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/ormodified to provide alternative or subcombinations. Each of theseprocesses or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways.Also, while processes or blocks are, at times, shown as being performedin a series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed inparallel, or may be performed at different times. Further, any specificnumbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations mayemploy differing values or ranges.

The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to othersystems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements andacts of the various embodiments described above can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

Any patents and applications and other references noted above, includingany that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporatedherein by reference. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, ifnecessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the variousreferences described above to provide yet further embodiments of thedisclosure.

These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of theabove Detailed Description. While the above description describescertain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best modecontemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, theteachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may varyconsiderably in its implementation details, while still beingencompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above,particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the disclosure to the specific embodimentsdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but alsoall equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure underthe claims.

While certain aspects of the disclosure are presented below in certainclaim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of thedisclosure in any number of claim forms. For example, while only oneaspect of the disclosure is recited as a means-plus-function claim under35 U.S.C. § 112(f), other aspects may likewise be embodied as ameans-plus-function claim, or in other forms, such as being embodied ina computer-readable medium. (Any claims intended to be treated under 35U.S.C. § 112(f) will begin with the words “means for”.) Accordingly, theapplicant reserves the right to add additional claims after filing theapplication to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects ofthe disclosure.

The detailed description provided herein may be applied to othersystems, not necessarily only the system described above. The elementsand acts of the various examples described above can be combined toprovide further implementations of the invention. Some alternativeimplementations of the invention may include not only additionalelements to those implementations noted above, but also may includefewer elements. These and other changes can be made to the invention inlight of the above Detailed Description. While the above descriptiondefines certain examples of the invention, and describes the best modecontemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, theinvention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may varyconsiderably in its specific implementation, while still beingencompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above,particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology isassociated. In general, the terms used in the following claims shouldnot be construed to limit the invention to the specific examplesdisclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Descriptionsection explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope ofthe invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also allequivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a first wireless powerreceiver client (WPRC) comprising: a first antenna, and a firstcontroller operatively coupled to the first antenna, the firstcontroller configured to: direct the first antenna to transmit a firstbeacon signal to at least one wireless power transmitter (WPT); anddirect the first antenna to receive, in response to the first beaconsignal being transmitted, a wireless power signal (WPS) from the atleast one WPT; and at least a second WPRC comprising: a second antenna,and a second controller operatively coupled to the second antenna, thesecond controller configured to: direct the second antenna to transmit asecond beacon signal to the at least one WPT; and direct the secondantenna to receive, in response to the second beacon signal beingtransmitted, the WPS from the at least one WPT, wherein one of: thefirst controller is further configured to direct the first antenna toreceive the WPS at the same time as the at least a second WPRC transmitsthe second beacon signal; and the second controller is furtherconfigured to direct the second antenna to receive the WPS at the sametime as the first WPRC transmits the first beacon signal.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the first WPRC further comprises a first circuit,wherein the at least a second WPRC further comprises a second circuit,and wherein at least one of: the first controller is further configuredto direct the first circuit to provide, in response to the WPS beingreceived via the first antenna, an electric current to at least one of:an energy storage device, and a first electronic device, of, orassociated with, the first WPRC; and the second controller is furtherconfigured to direct the second circuit to second provide, in responseto the WPS being received, an electric current to at least one of: anenergy storage device, and at least a second electronic device, of, orassociated with, the at least a second WPRC.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein at least one of: the first controller is further configured todirect a first data communication module of: the first WPRC, or a firstelectronic device associated with the first WPRC, to communicate firstdata to and/or from the at least one WPT; and the second controller isfurther configured to direct a second data communication module of: theat least a second WPRC, or at least a second electronic deviceassociated with the at least a second WPRC, to second communicate seconddata to and/or from the at least one WPT.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein at least one of: the first controller is further configured todirect the first data communication module to communicate the first datausing at least one of: a Bluetooth, a WiFi, and a Zigbee, communicationsprotocol; and the second controller is further configured to direct thesecond data communication module to communicate the second data using atleast one of: a Bluetooth, a WiFi, and a Zigbee, communicationsprotocol.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of: the firstcontroller is further configured to direct the first data communicationsmodule to communicate the first data using dual purpose data/powertransmission waves; and the second controller is further configured todirect the second communications module to communicate the second datausing dual purpose data/power transmission waves.
 6. The system of claim3, wherein at least one of: the first WPRC includes, or is associatedwith, a first Internet of Things (IoT) device, and the first dataincludes first IoT information; and the at least a second WPRC includes,or is associated with, at least a second IoT device, and the at leastsecond data includes at least second IoT information.
 7. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of WPTs, wherein at least one of(a)-(c): (a) the first controller is further configured to direct thefirst antenna to receive the WPS from at least two of the plurality ofWPTs at the same time; (b) the second controller is further configuredto direct the second antenna to receive the WPS from at least two of theplurality of WPTs at the same time; and (c) the first controller isfurther configured to direct the first antenna to receive the WPS from afirst WPT of the plurality of WPTs; and the second controller is furtherconfigured to direct the second antenna to receive the WPS from at leasta second WPT of the plurality of WPTs at the same time as the WPS isbeing received by the first antenna.
 8. The system of claim 1, whereinthe first WPRC includes a first circuit, wherein the at least a secondWPRC includes a second circuit, and wherein at least one of: the firstcircuit is configured to determine that a power level of the first WPRCis below a first threshold value, the first controller furtherconfigured to direct the first antenna to transmit the first beaconsignal in response to the power level of the first WPRC being determinedto be below the first threshold value; and the second circuit isconfigured to determine that a power level of the at least a second WPRCis below a second value, the second controller further configured todirect the second antenna to transmit the second beacon signal inresponse to the power level of the at least a second WPRC beingdetermined to be below the second threshold value.
 9. The system ofclaim 8, wherein at least one of: the first controller is furtherconfigured to first wake, in response to the power level of the firstWPRC being determined to be below the first threshold value, the firstWPRC from a sleep mode state prior to the first beacon signal beingtransmitted; and the second controller is further configured to secondwake, in response to the power level of the at least a second WPRC beingdetermined to be below the second threshold value, the at least a secondWPRC from a sleep mode state prior to the second beacon signal beingtransmitted.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of thefirst, and the at least a second, WPRCs includes, or is associated with,an electronic display device.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst WPRC comprises a first circuit, wherein the at least a second WPRCcomprises a second circuit, and wherein at least one of: the firstcircuit is configured to determine that the first WPRC is within awireless power transmission range of the at least one WPT, the firstcontroller further configured to direct the first antenna to transmitthe first beacon signal in response to the first WPRC being determinedto be within the wireless power transmission range; and the secondcircuit is configured to determine that the at least a second WPRC iswithin the wireless power transmission range of the at least one WPT,the second controller further configured to direct the second antenna totransmit the second beacon signal in response to the at least a secondWPRC being determined to be within the wireless power transmissionrange.
 12. A method of operating a wireless power transmission systemincluding a plurality of wireless power receiver clients (WPRCs), themethod comprising: first transmitting, by at least one first antenna ofa first WPRC of the plurality of WPRCs, a first beacon signal to atleast one wireless power transmitter (WPT); first receiving, by the atleast one first antenna and in response to the first transmitting, awireless power signal (WPS) from the at least one WPT; secondtransmitting, by at least one second antenna of at least a second WPRCof the plurality of WPRCs, a second beacon signal to the at least oneWPT; and second receiving, by the at least one second antenna and inresponse to the second transmitting, the WPS from the at least one WPT,wherein one of: the first receiving is performed at the same time as thesecond transmitting; and the second receiving is performed at the sametime as the first transmitting.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein: thefirst transmitting comprises transmitting the first beacon signal as afirst encoded signal carrying data representative of client-specificinformation of the first WPRC to facilitate identification of the firstWPRC by the at least one WPT; and the second transmitting comprisestransmitting the second beacon signal as a second encoded signalcarrying data representative of client-specific information of the atleast a second WPRC to facilitate identification of the at least asecond WPRC by the at least one WPT.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereinthe first, and the at least a second, encoded signals further carry datarepresentative of a transmission configuration for the first, and the atleast a second, WPRC, and wherein respective transmission configurationsof the first, and the at least a second, WPRC are different.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein at least one of: the first receivingcomprises receiving the WPS from the at least one WPT according to therespective transmission configuration and locked to the first WPRC; andthe second receiving comprises receiving the WPS from the at least oneWPT according to the respective transmission configuration and locked tothe at least a second WPRC.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein: thefirst transmitting comprises transmitting the first beacon signal on afirst frequency channel; and the second transmitting comprisestransmitting the second beacon signal on at least a second frequencychannel different from the first frequency channel.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein each of the first and second frequency channelsincludes multiple phases.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the firstand second transmitting steps are performed in a same time period. 19.The method of claim 12, wherein: the first receiving comprises receivinga first WPS on a first frequency channel; and the second receivingcomprising receiving a second WPS on a second frequency channeldifferent from the first frequency channel.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein each of the first and second frequency channels includesmultiple phases.
 21. The method of claim 12, wherein: the firstreceiving is performed at the same time as the second transmitting; andthe second receiving is performed at the same time as the firsttransmitting.
 22. The method of claim 12, wherein the first receiving isperformed at the same time as the second transmitting.
 23. The method ofclaim 12 further comprising at least one of (a) and (b): (a) firstdetermining, by a motion sensor operatively coupled to the first WPRC,movement of the first WPRC, wherein one of: the first transmittingcomprises transmitting the beacon signal in response to the firstdetermining; and the method further comprises transmitting, by the atleast one first antenna, a signal to the at least one WPT to direct theat least one WPT to stop transmitting, or to only intermittentlytransmit, the WPS to the first WPRC; and (b) second determining, by amotion sensor operatively coupled to the at least a second WPRC,movement of the at least a second WPRC, wherein one of: the secondtransmitting comprises transmitting the beacon signal in response to thesecond determining; and the method further comprises transmitting, bythe at least one second antenna, a signal to the at least one WPT todirect the at least one WPT to stop transmitting, or to onlyintermittently transmit, the WPS to the at least a second WPRC.
 24. Asystem comprising: at least one wireless power transmitter (WPT); afirst wireless power receiver client (WPRC) comprising: a first antenna,and a first controller operatively coupled to the first antenna, thefirst controller configured to: direct the first antenna to transmit afirst beacon signal to the at least one WPT; and direct the firstantenna to receive, in response to the first beacon signal beingtransmitted, a wireless power signal (WPS) from the at least one WPT;and at least a second WPRC comprising: a second antenna, and a secondcontroller operatively coupled to the second antenna, the secondcontroller configured to: direct the second antenna to transmit a secondbeacon signal to the at least one WPT; and direct the second antenna toreceive, in response to the second beacon signal being transmitted, theWPS from the at least one WPT, wherein one of: the first controller isfurther configured to direct the first antenna to receive the WPS at thesame time as the at least a second WPRC transmits the second beaconsignal; and the second controller is further configured to direct thesecond antenna to receive the WPS at the same time as the first WPRCtransmits the first beacon signal.